<h4>Chapter 337: The New Hannah</h4>


    At this moment.


    In the backyard of the vi, by the pool.


    E stood shivering at the pool’s edge, wearing a revealing swimsuit. She eyed the shimmering water with a pleading look directed at Eric. "Eric, the weather tonight... it suddenly turned cold. You know it rained this afternoon, and I don’t feel like swimming—I’d rather run!"


    Eric, wearing only a pair of swim trunks, leaned casually against the poolside cab, his toned eight-pack on full disy. "Jump in now, or face the consequences!" he smirked.


    E pouted, grumbling, "Eric, you don’t care about me at all! You don’t spoil me, you don’t love me!"


    Eric shook his head in amused frustration. He doted on her endlessly, or so he thought! E needed regr exercise to stay healthy, and swimming had benefits that running couldn’t offer—plus, a quick dip in cool water could boost her cirction. And tonight’s weather was just brisk, not cold.


    "If you dy any longer, you will be punished by swimming ten moreps!" Eric chuckled. "Or better yet, if you don’t jump in now, I’ll toss you in myself and then... handle the punishment upstairs!"


    E shot him an angry look. "Eric, you’re terrible!"


    Eric raised a brow smugly. "And if I weren’t, would you love me?"


    E couldn’t argue—she knew all too well the consequences of defying Eric. She remembered thest time he’d pushed her into the pool at his private vi... and the aftermath was definitely memorable.


    Why did she always end up on the losing side with this man?


    Taking a deep breath, she gathered her courage and, like a fish leaping from a river, dove gracefully into the water with a ssh.


    She wasn’t the same timid swimmer she used to be.


    In the pool, E swam tirelessly,p afterp.


    Eric watched her with a gleam of pride in his eyes. This little woman hade a long way, transforming from a beginner to an adept swimmer with his endless patience and encouragement.


    He was d. At least now, in his absence, she’d have an extra skill to keep herself safe.


    E glided gracefully through the water, as agile as a fish.


    The sight made Eric’s pulse quicken, and he finally couldn’t resist joining her, diving in with a ssh that sent waves cascading.


    "E... I’ming for you!" he called, a mischievous grin on his face. He was sure it wouldn’t take long before she’d be his "prey."


    "If I catch you, you’ll have to serve me tonight!" Eric teased, to which E spluttered as she continued swimming furiously.


    "As if! Men’s stamina is always better than women’s. Stop ying these games! If you want topete, make it fair!" E panted, feeling the exhaustion slowly creeping in.


    The pool was huge, and back when she was just learning to swim, a singlep had worn her out.


    But now she could manage tenps and keep going—proof that her endurance had greatly improved.


    "Quiet down... Tonight, my words are thew," Ericughed, picking up his speed.


    E nced back and saw him closing in. Startled, she summoned all her strength to swim faster.


    Onep, twops, three... her stamina was draining quickly.


    Her breaths came heavier as her arms and legs began to feel numb. The initial chill of the water had long faded; now her body was warm, every pore open and breathing freely.


    Eric’s devilish grin spread as he gained on her, his eyes fixed on his target. He reached out his long arm and, with one swift motion, caught her leg.


    "Aah!" E shrieked, startled, and began to sink as he pulled her back toward him.


    The water in the pool barely reached E’s chest, but as she went under, she swallowed a mouthful. "Cough... cough..." She choked, her body jolting as Eric swiftly scooped her up and carried her to the pool’s edge.


    Her flushed face, from coughing, looked even more delicate, like a soft, blooming flower. Wet strands of her hair clung to her snowy shoulders, her elegant neck exposed. Eric’s gaze lingered, his throat tightening. As her coughs slowed, and she caught her breath, he leaned down, capturing her in a deep, fervent kiss.


    E resisted briefly, but with her energy drained, she could only surrender, bing Eric’s "prey," leaving her entirely at his mercy.


    Amidst the soft sshes of water, her gentle sighs mingled with his heavy breaths as the night unfolded, full of shared warmth.


    Later, as dawn approached, E blinked her eyes open, watching as Eric returned from the balcony. Sheynguidly on the bed, her hair dried by his careful hands.


    "Is something wrong?" she asked with a slight smile, raising an eyebrow.


    Eric settled beside her, wrapping an arm gently around her waist. "There’s news," he murmured. "Hannah was adopted by the Miller noble family in Country W. Apparently, she resembles theirte eldest daughter."


    E’s face darkened slightly.


    "The Miller family," she asked, "they’re quite influential, aren’t they?"


    "Yes, very," Eric replied, his voice calm. "It seems Hannah isn’t hiding anymore. She’s making herself known in Country W, though she appears different—likely due to some high-level ’training.’"


    "Send that file to my email," E requested, her tone resolute. She wanted to understand this new version of Hannah.


    Eric nodded. "One more thing... my sources found out some details about your mother, from Sean and Julia. Apparently, she once dated a very handsome man whose identity was mysterious. He wore only custom-made clothing, a hint that he had some standing. However, few believed in the rtionship, and people said your mother was only being yed. Then, this man vanished, and shortly afterward, she hastily epted Robert’s proposal."


    Eric’s words rendered E silent.


    A mysterious man who had disappeared without a trace.


    Based on that description, it sounded like he was someone with some serious connections. Did her mother rush into marriage with Robert to avoid having a child out of wedlock?


    E knew that in that era, society judged unwed mothers harshly, unlike today’s more epting views.


    Her mother, Isabe, likely wanted to protect E from a life filled with scorn and discrimination, so she married a man she didn’t love to secure E’s future.


    As the thought settled, E felt an overwhelming sadness, realizing that, in a way, her mother’s tragic life was her own doing.


    "What are you thinking?" Eric asked, brushing her cheek as he noticed herplex expression. "Are you wondering if that man didn’t abandon her but had another reason for leaving?"


    E frowned, shooting him a nce. "Not really... I think she married Robert because she was already pregnant with me. So... in a way, I was the reason she ended up living such a hard life."